Apple has just introduced its new 27-inch iMac. And although it is not a total redesign - the appearance is the same as that of the previous models - it is an important enough update, especially for professional users.
That changes? Apple has added support in its for the latest 10th generation 6, 8 or 10 core Intel processors. Basically, it means that the iMac is now more powerful, especially in tasks that require a lot of processing power. All configurations start with 8 GB of RAM although of course it can be configured with more memory and for the first time, all iMac have SSDs instead of Fusion Drive for the most affordable models.
These are the settings:
- 27-inch iMac: 3.1GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5300 GPU with 4GB RAM ($ 1,799; apple.com)
- 27-inch iMac: 3.3GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5300 GPU with 4GB RAM ($ 1,999; apple.com)
- 27-inch iMac: 3.8GHz 8-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT GPU with 8GB RAM ($ 2,299; apple.com)
Apple has combined those CPU options with an update to the graphics cards. All 27-inch iMac configurations feature the Radeon Pro 5000 series GPU with good performance for video or photo editing and dedicated RAM. In fact, the $ 1,799 base configuration comes with a Radeon Pro 5300 with 4GB of RAM.
Integrated SSDs offer fast read and write speeds of up to 3.4 GB per second. It is an experience that complements the CPU and GPU to perform tasks faster and that is supported by the integrated T2 chip, which also controls the security of the equipment. The 27-inch base model has 256GB of internal storage, but you can upgrade to a whopping 8TB. That's twice the maximum capacity of the previous 27-inch generation, but it won't be cheap. It costs $ 2,000. Yes, you read it right. If you need that much storage, in any case, we suggest you find an external drive.
Better visualization
The newer iMac also comes with a 27-inch Retina 5K display with built-in True Tone technology. This will adjust the color temperature based on the room you are in through sensors on the iMac. It has a 5120 X 2880 resolution, which is certainly vibrant.
If you're working creatively, the 27-inch screen supports the P3 color standard. For an additional $ 500, you can go for a nanotextured glass (the same one that the Pro Display XDR uses), which lowers reflections without sacrificing colors.
No more 720p webcam
Along with a vibrant and large screen, the 27-inch iMac is the first Mac (laptop or desktop) to abandon the 720p FaceTime HD camera. Yes, Apple is finally raising it to 1080p resolution, so say goodbye to blurry FaceTime sessions. The camera works in conjunction with the T2 processor for face detection and exposure control. All of this helps. When it comes to achieving clear images and realistic skin tones.
A good time to get a Mac
You may be wondering if now is a good time to upgrade to a new iMac after Apple announced the transition to Apple Silicon processors at its annual developer conference.
For starters, macOS Big Sur will support both Intel-powered Macs and Apple Silicon. Apple aims to sell its first Apple Silicon computers by the end of the year. But we believe that for most users, these 27-inch iMac upgrades offer valuable speed enhancements and are configured quite well.
This is probably not the most attractive upgrade if you have a previous-generation iMac, but those on the market for an all-in-one Apple Mac will find it quite adequate. SSDs, a better webcam, and more processing power to cut down on your tasks are welcome.
Upgrades for the 21.5-inch iMac and iMac Pro
Along with the bigger updates to the 27-inch iMac, Apple has rounded out the iMac line with some interesting changes. Standard 21.5-inch iMac configurations now come with SSD. This should improve reliability and speed.
The high-end, space gray iMac Pro now comes with a 10-core Intel Xeon processor, which should greatly streamline professional workflows.
The updated iMac and 21.5-inch iMac Pro are available to order now with shipping starting next week.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.
